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Thompson, Zahn lead Redondo to win over Long Beach Jordan
by Paul Teetor
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Redondo guard Keith Ellison clears the lane on his way to a lay-up as Djon Thompson waits for the rebound in Friday night’s game against Westhester. Photo by Ray Vidal |
Led by the strong, steady post play of Adam Zahn and the silky smooth all-court skills of Dijon Thompson, Redondo Union High School took third place in the Pacific Shores Tournament with a 67-57 victory over Long Beach Jordan.
"This was our best game of the tournament," said Seahawk coach Jim Nielsen. "I was worried in the first half, because we weren't executing our plays the way we should have been. But we cut down on our turnovers in the second half, and that made a big difference for us."
Nielsen said the team is still adjusting to the loss of 6-10 All-American Andrew Zahn, who signed a scholarship with Arizona but has decided to redshirt this year. He will practice with the team but sit out the season so he can retain four years of eligibility.
"It's a smart move for him," said Redondo assistant coach Don Turner.
"Arizona has five potential first round NBA draft choice on its roster.
There's not much playing time for him, and he can concentrate on his grades and getting established in school."
Zahn's little brother, Adam, showed signs of filling his brother's big sneakers. Three inches shorter at 6-7, he displayed the same court intelligence and overall athleticism that made his brother a prep standout.
He led the Seahawks with 21 points and eight rebounds.
But when the game was tied at 53-53, Redondo turned to its senior leader, 6-7 Dijon Thompson, for points and leadership. Thompson, headed for UCLA next year, took over with a quiet, unselfish style.
First Thompson fed Wendell White for a layup that made it 55-53. Then he hit two foul shots and a 15 foot jumper to give the Hawks a six point lead with two minutes left.
Next he stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for a dunk to make it 61-55.
When he threw a lob that Zahn converted to make the score 63-55, the Seahawks had suddenly pulled away in a game that had been close from the opening tip.
"We were fortunate to pull away at the end," Nielsen said. "Dijon is our leader this year, and he stepped up for us when we had to have it."
Nielsen also singled out the play of guards Keith Ellison and Eddie Topps.
"They played tough defense and cut down on our turnovers late in the game," he said. "That was the difference between the first half and the second half." ER